Horticulture farmers in Srikakulam await subsidy amount

Srikakulam: Horticulture farmers across the state have been waiting for payment of subsidy amount from the government since November 2017. Subsidy amounts were pending in nine districts across the state under the Central government sponsored schemes. Only in Srikakulam, Rs 1,05,23,471 has been pending.

Three Central government sponsored schemes are being implemented in the state for the horticulture. First one is Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), second is Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and third is National Mission for Oilseeds and Oilpalm (NMOOP).

Under the three schemes and four elements were adopted in mango, papaya, flowers and vegetables cultivation across the state. But subsidy amounts are not being paid to farmers under these schemes so far.

Only in Srikakulam district under MIDH, 935 farmers are waiting for Rs 74,97,186 subsidy amount; under RKVY, 181 farmers are waiting for Rs 17,51, 857 subsidy amount and under NMOOP also Rs 12,74,428 subsidy amount is pending.

Total pending amount under three schemes only in Srikakulam  is Rs 1, 05, 23, 471. “We started protected cultivation of flowers last year and waiting for subsidy amount”, Gopina Krishna Prasad, a farmer from Kongaram village in Etcherla mandal told The Hans India.

“Subsidy amount was pending due to process in adopting of new system for its direct payment to farmers i.e; Comprehensive Finance Management System (CFMS) to avoid delay”, Horticulture Commissioner Chiranjivi Chowdari told The Hans India. He assured to clear it soon.

By Chowdari Lakshmana Rao